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Mysterious series of BBMP ads on a DLF complex
Written By murali772 - 19 May, 2009
Bangalore governance BBMP Corruption Analysis regulation
On 26th April, DLF homes published this full page ad in Times of India (I expect in other papers also) announcing the launch of their new project "Westend Heights". Strangely, the ad said "BDA approval obtaned up to 4 floors; bookings in full swing", whereas the pictures accompanying showed far more than 4 floors.
Now, opening bookings without obtaining proper sanctions is undoubtedly a questionable practice. But, one wonders how rampant the practice is in namma Bengaluru. Whatever, on 7th May, BBMP came up with this full back page colour ad in TOI cautioning customers against investing in this particular property, stating in addition that the cost of the ad will be recovered from the developer.
Quite a few people I talked to had noticed the ad, and the general consensus during the discussions was that the developer had probably not contributed to the ruling party's election funds.
On 17th May, this half page ad by BBMP followed, which interalia stated as follows: " In response to the public notice issued, the developer/ promoter has submitted an application on 15/05/09 for approval of ground + four floors. They have mentioned that for further floors upto 18 floors, they will submit the application after obtaining the required NOC's from all concerned departments. Since the developer/ promoter has now applied for sanction, their application is under consideration. In the meantime, the developer/ promoter has requested the BBMP to bring to the public notice the fact that the developer/ promoter has applied for plan sanction. Hence this public notice".
The consensus amongst the discussion circles now is that DLF has learnt its lessons. They are new to namma Bengaluru - it took them a little time - ashte'
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS

may be this was a very big one. or may be......
and yes who paid for the half page ads that BBMP put on TOI?
RGDS
Irfan

Only few public sector banks are very cautious
mcadambi - 19 May, 2009 - 18:15
Being in the real estate business, i know only a few public sector banks which do a detailed check of the property, including noticing violations and the extent there of.
Most private sector banks do not care and are happy to lend albeit with high interest rates.
RBI should make it mandatory for *all* banks to lend only if the project is approved both with a sanctioned plan and with an occupancy certificate.
In addition, it should make it necessary for all developers to adopt ISI norms for calculating carpet area, super built area et al. They should also be strict confirmation with the National Building Code.

thampan - 20 May, 2009 - 11:44
does BBMP have authority to mandate the newspapers to print the property ads only if the required permissions have been obtained from BBMP and other authorities? Or make the content say that there is no permission for this building yet
( may seem like license raj, but thought this may be effective in controlling ads of unregulated buildings)

sanchitnis - 20 May, 2009 - 16:14
Irfan asked: who paid for the half page ads that BBMP put on TOI?
The same advt had a note at the bottom which said the cost of the advertissement will be recovered from the builder. But I wonder how they will recover it..
Sanjay Chitnis

murali772 - 21 May, 2009 - 07:17
Yes, Sanjay. I wonder if there's a mechanism in BBMP to recover the cost!
And, the last ad by BBMP (half page colour - would easily be a few lakhs) didn't talk of any cost recovery, though it was supposedly placed at DLF's request. Can we also try making a request to BBMP to place an ad on our behalf?
Muralidhar Rao
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